Homeland Security purchases Oakwood warehouse aiming for ICE detention center
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has purchased a warehouse in Oakwood, Georgia, to convert into an ICE detention center with approximately 1,500 beds, as part of a nationwide expansion including a larger facility in Social Circle. The purchase cost $68.16 million and the facility could be operational within two months. While some officials and community members have expressed concerns over water, sewer capacity, safety, and economic impacts, U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde supports the project, citing national security and economic benefits.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now purchased a warehouse in Oakwood that officials have said is being planned to be converted into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.
The warehouse is on Atlanta Highway just north of Plainview Road, and documents released by Oakwood city officials on Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, indicate that DHS purchased it from Houston, Texas-based Alliance Industrial for $68.16 million dollars on Feb. 18.
City and U.S. officials have confirmed that DHS plans to convert the facility to an ICE detention facility, housing roughly 1,500 beds. The facility is part of a nationwide ICE detention expansion that includes a larger, more than 8,000-bed facility in Social Circle.
Oakwood officials have expressed concerns over water and sewer capacity, while others, ranging from U.S. congressional candidates to community organizers, have cited worries over safety impacts to the surrounding area and disagreements with ICE's enforcement activities under the Donald Trump administration. Despite that, 9th District U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde has issued a statement saying he believes the project will benefit the region.
"I fully support President Trump in protecting American citizens by detaining and deporting criminal illegals from our communities. The new Oakwood ICE facility will play an important role in this fight by serving as a regional processing center," Clyde said in a statement issued to AccessWDUN on Feb. 12. "In addition to assisting ICE's mission and mass deportations, the forthcoming facility will also bring a major economic investment to the City of Oakwood and surrounding communities."
Oakwood City Manager B.R. White shared data with AccessWDUN on Tuesday, refuting that last claim by Clyde. That data indicated that Oakwood could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual tax revenue due to the warehouse converting to a detention center.
Recent statements by officials indicate the center could become operational within two months. A similar timeline operation is expected for the larger Social Circle facility.
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